The International Arbitration Team celebrated its excellent
season at an April 22 reception in the law school's atrium.

Three Words for CUA Law’s International Arbitration Team: Best Year Ever

The ten members of Catholic University’s International Arbitration Team turned in a powerhouse performance during the 2012-13 academic year, posting especially strong results during oral arguments staged around the globe.

The students were divided into three regional teams: Team Asia, Team Frankfurt and Team Europe. Team Asia (Captain Frances Bishop ’13, Rich Gallena ’13, Jim Tinley ’13 and Christina Battaglia ’14) achieved special results at the Shanghai, China, Vis pre-moot. The CUA Law squad finished first among 20 law schools after four general rounds, surpassing last year’s second place finish.

Team Asia also dominated the oral arguments, accounting for four of the top eight places. Rich Gallena (left) was named the top overall oralist in the competition. Frances Bishop ranked third and received Honorable Mention, as did Christina Battaglia, ranked seventh. (Jim Tinley tied for eighth place).

The Columbus School of Law has demonstrated a knack for Vis Pre-Moots, also winning last year’s in Budapest.

Team Frankfurt (Co-captain Jose Vega, ’13 and Dacia Nagar, ‘14E) finished fourth among 34 law schools from 18 countries competing in the Investment Moot. The finish mirrored the previous year’s, and is especially impressive because the Columbus School of Law does not offer coursework in international investment law. Vega and Nagar were obliged to teach themselves the subject in preparation for the Investment Moot, and yielded outstanding results.

The final award was shared by Team Asia and Team Europe (Co-captain Kirsten Bender ’13, John Quinn ’13, Gypsy Clement ’14 and Josephine Vowels ’14). In Hong Kong, the team received Honorable Mention for its Vis Memorandum for Respondent. The eight members of these teams collaborated on a paper that clearly impressed the judges. It was the second time in three appearances in Hong Kong that CUA Law has been recognized for an outstanding brief.

Two alumnae supported the International Arbitration Team all year as volunteer coaches, Raeka Safaer, 2007 and Renee-Lauren Ellis, 2010.

“Each is a veteran of the team, and they devoted many hours to helping this year’s team members improve their briefing and oral argument skills. Both have agreed to continue to invest their talent and time in coaching the team next year. We are immensely grateful to them,” said Professor Harris Weinstein, the team’s faculty advisor.

The law school first tackled international arbitration moots in 2006, sending its inaugural team to compete in Vienna. During ensuing years, the team has widened its playing field, entering moots in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Frankfurt.

Each year its overall record has improved.

“We have proved our ability to outperform strong teams from many countries in “Pre-Moot” competitions, sweeping the awards in Budapest last year and finishing second last year and first this year in the general rounds in Shanghai,” said Professor Weinstein (at left).

“We take pride in our two year record of self-taught excellence in the Frankfurt Investment Moot. With the continuing support of our alumni and our special friends we look forward to even greater achievements in the years ahead.”